LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET - Seven completed irrigation projects in Benguet are turned over by the NIA to the duly organized irrigators' associations (IA) during the Benguet Federation of Irrigators’ Association (BFFIA) Farmers’ Congress held at PEO grounds in Brgy. Wangal on February 20, 2026.
Funded and completed in 2025, these projects now serve a total of 177.68 hectares with 456 farmers in six municipalities of the province.
The turnover ceremonies were led by NIA-CAR Regional Manager Ronilio Cervantes, Engineering & Operations Division Manager Sammy Kimbungan, NIA Benguet Satellite Office Chester Laplana, leaders of the Irrigators’ Associations (IA) and representatives from the M/BLGUs.
These seven projects are:
1. Akayad Pamaskan CIS in Batan, Kabayan to Agpay-Pongil-Penged IA, Inc.
2. Makidot CIS in Topdac, Atok to Piket Awa Farmers IA, Inc.
3. Tuludan CIS in Catlubo, Atok to Cattubo Farmers IA, Inc.
4. Nasapa Banaaw CIS in Amlimay, Buguias to Nasapa Nambulang Bana-ao Farmers IA, Inc.
5. Sagubo CIS in Sagubo, Kapangan to Lanas, Manga, Pengew, Ampongot Proper, Dominay Association (LAMPADA), Inc.
6. Central Bahong SIS in Bahong, La Trinidad to Barangay Bahong IA, Inc.
7. Mamuyod CIS in Ambassador, Tublay to Baybayuan Agpay Pakpakan Farmers IA, Inc.
In 2025, NIA implemented 8 irrigation projects with a total project cost of P49 million. The Yugo-Gambang Communal Irrigation System (CIS) was earlier turned over to the Yugo Labilab IA in Bakun on January 19, 2026.
With the turnover, the IAs will now be in charge in the operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems.
₱1.5 million subsidies awarded to 62 IAs
Also, a total of P1,512,704 worth of operation and maintenance subsidies were also awarded to 62 irrigators' associations all over Benguet during the activity.
The IAs which signed into Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) Contract with the NIA are provided with an operations subsidy of P500 per hectare per season (wet and dry) based on the validated list of irrigated and planted area and a maintenance subsidy of P2,800 per canal section per maintenance period which occurs in every 45 days with a maximum of six in one year. One canal section is equivalent to 3.5 kilometers for earth canals and 7 kilometers for concrete lined canals.
The operation and maintenance subsidies received shall accrue to the fund of the association, which will be used for irrigation maintenance, and other expenses.
₱300k livelihood assistance to new irrigators' coop
The Kapangan Farmers and Irrigators Agriculture Cooperative, the first Benguet municipal-wide cooperative of IAs, received P300,000 worth of livelihood assistance for their business venture of rice and animal feeds retail.
NIA is currently organizing IAs into cooperatives, one per municipality, as this gives IAs more opportunities.
DA awards ₱1M Kadiwa assistance to Benguet IA Federation
The DA also awarded one million pesos of Kadiwa financial grant to the Benguet Farmers Federation of Irrigators' Associations (BFFIA).
During the congress, the different IAs that are members of the BFFIA staged a Kadiwa where they sold their fresh produce and processed products.
Representatives of the DA also presented the different banner programs of the agency such as the Kadiwa and the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBA) program.
Benguet Irrigators Elect New Set of Federation Officers
The Benguet Federation of Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc. (BFFIA), also held its General Assembly on February 20, 2026 and elected its new set of officers.
The following are the elected Board of Directors (BOD) of the BFFIA.
Atok: Dick Evasco
Baguio: Rocklyn Yadis (Treasurer)
Bakun: Leonardo Antonio
Bokod: Romy Balangay
Buguias: Petra Abde (Secretary)
Itogon: Kenly Menzi
Kabayan: Alfredo Martin
Kapangan: Jerry Carantes (Auditor)
Kibungan: Dionie Atam
La Trinidad: Arthur Shontogan (Vice President)
Mankayan: Jovito Banglod
Sablan: Olivery Pa-ay
Tuba: Elmer Saoyao
Tublay: Domingo Awas (President)
Officers of various irrigators associations (IA) from the 13 municipalities of Benguet and Baguio City elected their BOD. The 14 elected BODs elected among themselves the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and auditor. Mr. Domingo Awas was re-elected as president of BFFIA, and shall represent the association in regional and national congresses and other activities that need representation.